Inside the Lines: Finding strength in self-care with USMNT star Jozy Altidore

From his trailblazing soccer firsts at a young age to recently joining the pro sports ownership ranks, Altidore’s had a storied career. Here are some key tidbits to know about Jozy before we dig into how he balances it all:

⚽ Altidore burst onto the soccer scene in 2006, becoming the youngest player to compete and score in an MLS playoff game when he played with the NY Red Bulls at age 16.

• That was just the beginning of a lengthy and prolific MLS career, which included two All-Star nods, plus an MLS Cup and MLS Cup MVP campaign with Toronto FC in 2017.

🇺🇲 He impressed on the international pitch, too, earning two U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year honors (2013 and 2016), representing his country at two FIFA men’s World Cups (2010 and 2014), and scoring the third-most goals (42) in USMNT history. Red, white, and booyah.

🌐 Altidore took his skills abroad as well, competing in the English Premier League and other European leagues. In 2012–13, he set a record for goals by an American in a European league, registering a league-best 31 with a Dutch squad.

🏈 Altidore’s remained heavily involved in sports, most recently joining the NFL’s Buffalo Bills ownership group, something he called “a dream come true.” Football and fútbol? It just makes sense.

Today’s topic is “Finding Strength in Self-Care” — a crucial element of a balanced routine that can mean something different to everyone. The term “self-care” has a deep, radical history, but has become somewhat of a buzzword in recent years, oftentimes conjuring images of cucumber facials and massages.

• But stereotypes aside, self-care — specifically what you make of it — is essential. Here are a few key moments from our Inside the Lines conversation with Altidore on how he finds his strength and balance in it.

Andrews: What would you say is the number one thing you've learned from [your wife, pro tennis player Sloan Stephens] when it comes to wellness and self-care?

Altidore: The consistency of it…I never knew how much went into staying on top of [it], but it's like anything else, right? The more you do it, the more you keep yourself on a schedule…the better you will feel.

• And, all of it adds up, especially as we age. We want to stay looking good and feeling good and feeling refreshed. So having a schedule helps and making sure I have a day or two that's dedicated to that.

Andrews: How do you maintain balance? You have so many ongoing projects in the works. How do you maintain that balance through all the different things that you're working on?

Altidore: Choices, choices are important for me, where I allot my time. …For me personally, I've become a homebody…and that really helps me, because it keeps the stress down. It keeps me connected with my family, which is my priority. And it keeps the mental [health] in a good place — when the family's good, you're good.

Andrews: What’s the best mental health advice you’ve received?

Altidore: At 14, I went to IMG Academy to live for two and a half years there. …They go there to train and try to elevate their game. And I was introduced at the time to a guy that became my mental conditioning coach for my entire career until he passed. His name was Trevor Moad.

• When things got crazy, he would always say, “Ask yourself that simple question. Are you keeping the main thing the main thing?”

• And it's simple and it may seem a little cliche, but when I started to ask myself that question, when things got hectic, I found out that things got hectic because I got away from what drives me and what makes me, me and what enables everything around me, you know?

• “Keep the main thing,” to me, has been a godsend since I was 14 years old. So that's my little motto, keep the main thing the main thing.

With such an array of career experiences, Altidore’s story is a treasure trove of advice and guidance. Here are a few mindset shifts and actions you can test out in your own life.

😎 Embrace the European mindset. Both Altidore and Andrews reminisce on their playing days abroad, citing times when stores were closed in the middle of the day. Altidore notes the “live to live” mentality abroad vs. the “live to work” approach in North America.

• Sure, you might not be able to have a siesta, but you can find pockets to take a walk, meditate, or each lunch away from the screen in the day-to-day grind.

💡 Stay curious. Altidore discusses his focus on building relationships and being vulnerable during his time with the USMNT. He put himself out there, trying and learning new things and connecting with others, an approach that’s paid dividends in his post-playing career.

✅ Keep the main thing the main thing. As described above, this is Altidore’s guiding mantra, especially when things get chaotic. Remembering and prioritizing what truly matters will help you through any challenge.

🎧 Listen to the full episode. These highlights are just the beginning of an inspiring, insightful, and uplifting conversation — kick back and enjoy the full pod today.